I went to the PFBC website to find out the exact day in April that the lower part of the river closes for bass fishing and couldn't find it. What I did find was that from 4/13 to 6/14 no tournaments are permitted, while it is catch and release all year. Nothing about a closed season.

I went to the PFBC website to find out the exact day in April that the lower part of the river closes for bass fishing and couldn't find it. What I did find was that from 4/13 to 6/14 no tournaments are permitted, while it is catch and release all year. Nothing about a closed season.

Did they change this for 2019?

Yep...I just looked at the rules for the main stem and it looks like there is no closed season for smallmouth in 2019. Catch and release all year. But they will fine you if they think you are fishing spawning beds. This will allow river guides to fish all year as long as they avoid spawning areas in the Spring.It also appears that all tournaments on the main stem, when they are allowed, must be catch, weigh and immediate release. No dock weigh-ins. No livewells. This might be different...not sure.

It also appears that all tournaments on the main stem, when they are allowed, must be catch, weigh and immediate release. No dock weigh-ins. No livewells. This might be different...not sure.

I think that is different also. If memory serves me correctly there weren't any tournaments allowed all year before. Not even catch and release. It gave me peace of mind that I wouldn't run into them at the ramp.

I think that is different also. If memory serves me correctly there weren't any tournaments allowed all year before. Not even catch and release. It gave me peace of mind that I wouldn't run into them at the ramp.

Yes...if this is correct...I never thought that the tournament guys would agree to Golden RuleTournaments...that is no weigh in at the dock

Bill

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The hours spent fishing are not subtracted from the lives of men!!

Susquehanna River Fishing Forum

When the PFBC held meeting at Selinsgrove - the tournament guys and a guide wanted to keep the waters closed during the spawn for a few more years. Guess we lost. More fish are lost due to the stress of being caught multiple times during the spawn and abandoning the eggs.... truly sad.

When the PFBC held meeting at Selinsgrove - the tournament guys and a guide wanted to keep the waters closed during the spawn for a few more years. Guess we lost. More fish are lost due to the stress of being caught multiple times during the spawn and abandoning the eggs.... truly sad.

I agree and as I mentioned on this site before, it's easy fishing so only the good guys stayed away from the closed areas.